SepsisOverview

Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Sepsis symptoms in children under five

Go straight to A&E or call 999 if your child has any of these symptoms:

looks mottled, bluish or pale

is very lethargic or difficult to wake

feels abnormally cold to touch

is breathing very fast

has a rash that does not fade when you press it

has a fit or convulsion

Get medical advice urgently from NHS 111

If your child has any of the symptoms listed below, is getting worse or is sicker than you'd expect (even if their temperature falls), trust your instincts and seek medical advice urgently from NHS 111.

Temperature

temperature over 38C in babies under 3 months

temperature over 39C in babies aged three to 6 months

any high temperature in a child who cannot be encouraged to show interest in anything

low temperature (below 36C – check 3 times in a 10-minute period)

Breathing

finding it much harder to breathe than normal – looks like hard work

making "grunting" noises with every breath

can't say more than a few words at once (for older children who normally talk)

breathing that obviously "pauses"

Toilet/nappies

not had a wee or wet nappy for 12 hours

Eating and drinking

new baby under 1 month old with no interest in feeding

not drinking for more than 8 hours (when awake)

bile-stained (green), bloody or black vomit/sick

Activity and body

soft spot on a baby's head is bulging

eyes look "sunken"

child cannot be encouraged to show interest in anything

baby is floppy

weak, "whining" or continuous crying in a younger child

older child who's confused

not responding or very irritable

stiff neck, especially when trying to look up and down

If your child has any of these symptoms, is getting worse or is sicker than you'd expect (even if their temperature falls), trust your instincts and seek medical advice urgently from NHS 111.

Sepsis symptoms in older children and adults

Early symptoms

Early symptoms of sepsis may include:

a high temperature (fever) or low body temperature

chills and shivering

a fast heartbeat

fast breathing

Many of the symptoms of sepsis are also associated with meningitis. The first symptoms of meningitis are often fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell.

Treatments for sepsis

If sepsis is detected early and hasn't affected vital organs yet, it may be possible to treat the infection at home with antibiotics. Most people who have sepsis detected at this stage make a full recovery.

Almost all people with severe sepsis and septic shock require admission to hospital. Some people may require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Because of problems with vital organs, people with severe sepsis are likely to be very ill and the condition can be fatal.

However, sepsis is treatable if it is identified and treated quickly, and in most cases leads to a full recovery with no lasting problems.